ONLINE Classes for nursing....are they worth it

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Mar 13, 2012

The positives is that you can do most of your work at home and not have to meet class schedules or even dress for class, plus the expense of getting to the class. You might have to "chat" with the class online periodically, which would mean a scheduled event. The negative would be that it is harder to ask questions and get immediate feedback. You have to be self-motivated as most of your efforts will be done alone. If the course is properly designed it can be a great way for adult learners to get a degree. Less emotionally mature students have trouble.

knittygrittyRN, MSN, RN · Mar 16, 2012

Personally I haven't seen a program where they allow you to take nursing courses online (besides graduate level). Nursing clinical should be done at a site where you actually interact with patients since your duties will expand.

Your general education requirements can be done online and in my experience are often more work then the regular class but they provide the convenience of not having to be on campus.

Aliakey · Mar 16, 2012

I believe Excelsior has an LPN to RN bridge. I'm working towards my RN but as a paramedic-to-RN instead... same coursework. It is accredited by both the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). It is not some fly-by-night scam.

As classicdame posted, you need to be self-motivated to get through the program online, and nothing will be spoonfed to you. I feel the quality of education I'm receiving by the Excelsior route is of the same quality as any brick-n-mortar nursing school or even better, but the big (and I mean BIG) point to make on this is: You get out what you put in. Whether online or traditional, if you barely scrape through your exams and try to use shortcuts just to pass a class, you have not done yourself or your future patients any justice. We have three nursing schools in my city, and the quality of nursing students I see in their hospital clinicals varies tremendously! Some impress me, others scare the living daylights out of me (and they will be graduating this May!!!).

You're not left totally out on your own though. I usually get a response to any questions I have within a day or so of asking them on a weekday. Usually, I prefer to just find any information I need to know by digging online or in the text... the exams are pretty straightforward.

Other advantages to online: I work 12 hour+ night shifts on a 3-2-2 schedule and have a family, so going to a physical classroom would be nearly impossible. Last thing you want on an ambulance is a half-asleep paramedic grabbing the wrong drugs for that stable V-tach, lol! I simply can't afford to take two to three years "off" from work for school... got bills to pay. The cost is about comparable to our nursing schools in the area, so no difference there. As for time commitment, my life is work-study-cook dinner, but I should (hopefully) have my GN after completing two years of this program.

Exams are taken at a Pearson-Vue testing center, which for me is only 15 miles away. May be a disadvantage for those in more rural areas, but with Excelsior, you only take one BIG exam (like a comprehensive final) for each course. Makes it easier if you have to travel some distance for the exam.

A big disadvantage to online: With Excelsior, you do NOT have clinical instructors to walk you through skills. As a paramedic student, I did have tons of hospital clinical hours for my program and gained many skills working as a paramedic in the field. I also worked in the ED as a tech, so got to observe or assist with quite a few procedures.

However, learning how to properly insert a Foley catheter, setting up a sterile field, and so many other skills have to be learned through various routes on your own. You will have a major "clinical final" (for lack of better words) at an approved hospital after completing all of your nursing core classes and most of your other general education courses... this is the CPNE. Three days of Hades, and you better know what you are doing. Again, this emphasizes the need for a lot of independent learning and resource digging on your own, as no instructor will lead you though performing a procedure. You are expected to know how to do things properly, and are being watched and tested. If you cannot perform the critical elements of a procedure/assessment/documentation properly, you don't pass the CPNE. The CPNE can be retaken an additional two times (at $2000 a pop) if you fail. If you don't pass the CPNE = no GN.

One other major thing to consider with online RN programs: Will your state accept it? I live in Texas... no problem. Earn my GN, send in the paperwork, money, and pass an online test (jurisprudence exam the state requires every nursing graduate to take, no matter which school they're from), then take the NCLEX. Some states require additional clinical hours before the Excelsior student can become an RN (unless you worked about 2 years as an RN in another state and are moving there, etc.), and some states (California) won't accept it period as a new graduate. Look into that well before applying to the college.

Sorry about the long response, but hope it helps some!

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Mar 16, 2012

UT (Texas) has online classes for RNs. I do not think the whole program is online, but specific topics certainly are

pat8585 · Mar 16, 2012

thanks everyone!

allnurses Guide · Mar 16, 2012

I did my entire masters online (except of course the fieldwork). I liked having the option of doing class when I had time, or when it fit my schedule. Since I work nights, a good bit of my work was done before 2 and 4 AM. If you are self disciplined enough to get work done on time without reminders, it works great.

On the other hand, had a student doing the bridge to BSN online, who needed an on the ground preceptor for an assessment class, for the checkoffs. He/she couldn't do the hands on parts in the least (despite already being an RN). Kept making excuses about working homehealth instead of in a hospital (which ticked me off, as those are the folks that need the best assessments since that one nurse is the only one seeing the pt regularly! ). So, if you need hands on guidance and physical demo of skills, maybe online isn't the best for you.

anonymousstudent · Mar 18, 2012

I have done my entire associate degree online, except for the clinical portion. It's been fine. A lot of students struggle with it though. It's a lot more reading, since you don't really get lectures, and you don't have access to a teacher all of the time to ask quick questions if you don't understand. If you can handle keeping track of yourself and being completely responsible for your learning, you'll be fine.

I'm glad I did it this way, I'll do my bridge online too.